10 Things To Do Within a Half Hour’s Drive of Belfast

Hillsborough Castle is one of the most beautiful and interesting historic properties in Northern Ireland. The official residence of the Royal Family when they are in Northern Ireland, it has also been used as the residence for the Secretary of State since the 1970s. The House is a large two-story late Georgian mansion, and the State Rooms on the ground floor are open to the public. The House looks out over the beautiful gardens, formal and informal, which are filled with exotic plants, mature specimens and modern commemorative trees.

Set on the shores of the stunning Strangford Lough where almost the entire world’s population of Brent Geese resides during the autumn and winter months, WWT Castle Espie is a tranquil and welcoming centre for everyone. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day out or are passionate about nature, there’s a world of wetland wildlife waiting to be discovered by you at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre.

Airtastic Ultimate Challenges is Northern Ireland’s unmissable, interactive and state-of-the-art team game experience, exclusive to Airtastic Lisburn. Play as a team of 2-6 people as you navigate your way through 30 unique and fun challenge rooms which involve a mix of physical, mental and skill-based tasks.You can try each challenge as many times as you like and in whatever order you want! With themes like music, football, shooter games and many more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Ultimate Challenges.

If you are fond of your local brews, then a visit to a working brewery with licensed restaurant in a beautiful and historic setting at Hilden House could be the perfect day. Discover the magic of brewing and learn more about this ancient craft from the Master Brewer and sample award winning beers. Why not linger over a beer or two and enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner in the Tap Room Restaurant.

Mount Stewart is one of the most inspiring and unusual gardens in the National Trust’s ownership. Engaging tours of the opulent house reveal its fascinating heritage and historic world-famous artefacts and artwork. The garden reflects a rich tapestry of design and great planting artistry that was the hallmark of Edith, Lady Londonderry. The house has now re-opened after our 3 year long restoration project with the elegance and charm of the house when it was the home of the 7th Marchioness Edith, Lady Londonderry and her family in the early 20th century.

High Rise indoor adventure centre in Lisburn offers a great day out for all the family, young and old, with attractions for all ages and abilities including Northern Ireland’s largest Clip ‘n Climb indoor climbing arena, a soft play area and innovative sensory rooms!

Two museums in one, the Ulster Folk and Transport gives you a window into the way of life from 100 years ago. Discover towns and countryside, with cottages, farms, schools and shops to explore throughout the Folk Museum. Many of the buildings were relocated to the museum to preserve the original structures, and youll witness people going about their daily lives as if it was 1900. After, visit the Transport Museum, filled with impressive steam trains, racing cars and all sorts of other vehicles.

You can choose to ice skate at Northern Ireland’s only public Olympic sized ice rink, become king of the lanes in the Xtreme Tenpin Bowling Centre or go wild for the adventure and excitement of the Indiana Land play kingdom. It’s the perfect venue for a fun family day out, with a range of exciting activities for both adults and children!

Enjoy fun for the entire family at Bangor Aurora Aquatic and Leisure Complex, Bangor’s newest leisure facility. There are a wealth of activities to keep the whole family occupied, from Adventureland, a children’s soft play adventure area, to the centre’s three swimming pools, including the Aurora Splash Leisure Waters with two large flumes, slides, wave machine, water features, baby beach and pirate ship; and Aqua Challenge, Northern Ireland’s only inflatable pool assault course.

The museum is located in the picturesque grounds of Castle Park in the centre of Bangor. This free attraction is popular with all ages. The displays reflect the pivotal role nearby Bangor Abbey held in early Christian Ireland and throughout Europe. Discover how the monks met their fate at the hands of the Vikings and visit the full-sized Monk’s Cell and Viking Long-house.